[2025 Contest Entry] Classroom64

[Gman]

It's been a long time since I've built my own portable console. I haven't been in the mood for staring at CAD and iterating prototypes for months so I'm going to be taking myself back in time when portables were made with a dremel and dreams. With 9 days left to finish a build, I took a look at my inventory and opening my own boxes felt like uncovering historical artifacts. I found plenty of parts to put together a device. This one will not include any uniquely designed pcbs and I will take no shame in using wires and glue. I am going to fully enjoy this one.

What would 13 year old me do to improve the construction if my balsa wood 3d printer would have been able to actually finish a print? Drill templates to accurately place the button holes and glue-in 3d printed mounts would have been a game changer. Did I mention this is going to be a classroom for myself, probably not for any of you?

Still working out some loose planning. This could be a nice place to utilize the Ashida interface board.

13 year old me wouldn't hesitate to be lazy and drop support for Dpad and L. Not acceptable anymore.

This is going to be way better technology than using a ruler and pencil.

Don't worry guys I wont be using IPS or VGA. I ordered a brand new 4.3" composite car reverse monitor for $9. Hopefully it'll arrive in time.

 

[cy]

I'm just waiting for you to finish this in 3 days and then dig everyone's graves with it. Joking aside, I love these old GBA case portables! Looking forward to seeing this come together in the not so distant future. Loving the Ashida audio PCB you just cut in half too lol.

 

[loopj]

 

[IAMKINGOFKEYBOARDS]

This is gonna be cool...

 

[Stitches]

That case is a blast from the past

 

[jose_Leo12]

I don't know about others, but it will be a great lesson for me, watching the master work, I'm confident that you will finish before the end of the competition, and by the way, good luck.

 

[Gman]

View attachment 40390

Maybe I'll graduate to College64.

Thanks for the encouragement guys. I forgot how much I enjoyed doing this work. Even a "primitive enclosure" is bringing me a lot of joy. I have been so impressed and blown away from the work I have seen on this forum lately. It is even intimidating at times. If there is any lesson from this portable is that you don't need to be an electro-mechanical engineer product designer to make a portable in 2025 and have a $500 budget. Just make something fun that you will enjoy.

Big update TM.

 

[cy]

Maybe I'll graduate to College64.

No, don't! You have so much to live for!

Joking aside, I'm so glad you've found the time and are having fun with this build! I can't wait to see what comes next! These types of builds always hit different from 3d printed builds these days.

 

[Gman]

Enough planning, time to cut!

The screen came in. For $9, you can't beat that value! It even switches from 16:9 to 4:3!

The final position mounts are printed in PETG for n64 heat resistance.

The N64 trim is done so the motherboard squeezes almost tightly in the case to help with cartridge slot support.

Hand cuts are challenging but I think I did okay.

4 more nights left to go. Looks like all the case cutting is done and I can start putting things permanently inside tomorrow night. Good luck to everyone else too!!

 

[IAMKINGOFKEYBOARDS]

This is peak frankencasing.

 

[Gman]

Please Alfie can I use just a little bit of hot glue?

 

[cy]

Please Alfie can I use just a little bit of hot glue?

He's doing a wonderful job as a stand-in for the community who'd also be stopping you from using hot glue.

 

[Gman]

It's completed! It feels like if I just built my first N64 portable again.

Full write-up TM.

 

[loopj]

Turned out great!! Can’t wait for the full write up

 

[cy]

Not every day you see such a good clean franken case like this! This and the PS3 portable definitely have my votes! I think you two will place high!

 

[Gman]

This has been a joy to build and finished it in the perfect amount of time.

Features:
4.3" Composite screen from car reverse camera kit
Real N64 Motherboard (no expansion pak)
N64 controller FRAM pak built-in
N64PMS (coming soon)
U-Amp with analog audio input
USB-C PD charging
2x 2170 10,000mAh battery pack. It should last around 3-4 hours and the unit is a great weight to hold.
Made from a Gameboy Advance Carrying Case


Let's get straight to those internals I know y'all want to see. I missed this good old fashioned hand wiring.

I designed the cartridge flex relocation for Downing's up-coming N64P kit.

Chopped up Ashida Interface board glued ontop of the panel mount headphone jack.

Now onto the exterior

The L button is not the best at least it is only used in like 1 game.

The charging is not actually 240watts

This'll be great for MGC to be able to open it and show people how it's made.

Does QC approve?

 

[loopj]

HOW IS THIS SO CLEAN!!! Great work dude. The fact that it hinges open is so slick too.

 

[subierekt]

this is really nice. really clean cuts dude. The screen buttons just chilling in the top of the case is a nice touch. About as accessible as you need them to be.

 

[Downing]

Amazing build man! Such a perfect balance of Old School and New Era that pulls hard on the nostalgia heart strings in so many ways! That flex cable is amazing (if I say so myself ), such a time saver! Do you have any stand alone pics of the brackets you used to mount the cart slot? Looks like they attach to N64 Mobo itself, which if so, is a luxury of internal space! Great job again man!

 

[Stitches]

You old dudes making these legendary devices was what got me into this cash hole of a hobby all those years ago. Internals are cleaner now tho lel